Lip Tie in Babies and Kids: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do About It
If nursing your newborn has been painful, frustrating, or just not going the way you expected, you are not imagining it. A poor latch, clicking sounds during feeding, nipple pain that does not get better, a baby who tires out before finishing a feeding — these are not just normal new-parent struggles. They can be signs of a lip tie, and they are worth looking into.
Lip ties are one of those things that often get missed, especially in those early weeks when everything feels overwhelming and parents are just trying to make it through. This guide is here to help you understand what a lip tie is, what to look for at different ages, and what your options are if you suspect your baby or child has one.
What Is a Lip Tie?
Inside your baby’s mouth, there is a small band of tissue called a frenulum that connects the upper lip to the gum above the front teeth. In most babies, this tissue is thin and flexible, allowing the lip to flange outward freely during nursing and other movements.
A lip tie occurs when that frenulum is thick, tight, or attached too close to the gum line, restricting how far the upper lip can move. It exists on a spectrum. Some are mild and cause no noticeable issues, while others significantly affect a baby’s ability to latch, feed, and develop normally.
Lip ties are present from birth. They are not caused by anything a parent did or did not do during pregnancy.
Signs of a Lip Tie in Newborns and Babies
The most common time a lip tie comes to a parent’s attention is in the newborn stage, when feeding difficulties become apparent. Here is what to watch for.
Nursing and Feeding Symptoms
You may notice some of these signs during breastfeeding or bottle feeding:
- Difficulty getting a deep, comfortable latch
- Clicking or smacking sounds while nursing
- Nipple pain or damage that does not improve with latch adjustments
- Baby slipping off the breast or bottle frequently
- Feeding sessions that go on for a long time without the baby seeming satisfied
- Excessive gas, colic, or fussiness after feeds from swallowing air
- Slow weight gain or concerns from your pediatrician about feeding
- A blister or callus on the baby’s upper lip
Not every baby with a lip tie will have all of these symptoms, and not every nursing difficulty is caused by a lip tie. A proper evaluation can help identify whether a lip tie is actually contributing to the problem.
What to Look for When You Check Your Baby’s Mouth
If you gently lift your baby’s upper lip and look at the tissue connecting it to the gum, you may notice that the frenulum appears thick or cord-like, that the lip does not flange outward easily when lifted, or that the tissue attaches very close to or onto the gum line. You may also notice that the lip has a tight, heart-shaped appearance when pulled back.
A visual check at home can give you a starting point, but it is not a substitute for a clinical evaluation. What looks significant may be mild, and what looks mild can still affect function. If something does not feel right about feeding, trust your instincts and get an evaluation.
Lip Tie vs. Tongue Tie: What Is the Difference?
Lip ties and tongue ties are often mentioned together, and that is because they often occur together. A tongue tie involves restricted movement of the tongue due to a tight or short frenulum on the underside of the tongue. A lip tie involves restricted movement of the upper lip. They are separate structures, but both can affect feeding, speech, and oral development.
It is possible to have one without the other, but it is common to have both. If your baby or child is being evaluated for a tongue tie, it is a good idea to ask whether a lip tie evaluation is included as well.
Our team at Total Care Kids evaluates both lip and tongue ties. If you have concerns about either, a single appointment can address both. Schedule a new patient exam here.
Signs of a Lip Tie in Toddlers and Older Kids
Many families make it through the newborn stage without a lip tie being diagnosed, only to notice signs showing up as their child grows. A lip tie does not resolve on its own, and its effects can shift as children develop.
Speech Patterns
Restricted upper lip movement can make certain sounds more difficult to form clearly. Children with lip ties sometimes have more difficulty with sounds that rely on the lips, particularly “p,” “b,” “m,” and “w.” You might notice that certain sounds seem effortful or slightly unclear. A speech evaluation can help determine whether lip restriction is a contributing factor to any patterns you are observing.
Dental Development
As children get their front teeth, a lip tie can contribute to a noticeable gap between the two upper front teeth. This happens when the frenulum tissue attaches near or onto the gum in a way that puts pressure on the space between the teeth, preventing them from closing together naturally. Beyond spacing, a tight upper lip can also make it harder for children to brush effectively around the gum line in that area, which may affect plaque control over time.
Mouth Breathing and Oral Rest Posture
A lip tie that limits how comfortably the lips seal together may be one factor in a child’s tendency toward mouth breathing, though many things can contribute to that pattern. If you notice your child frequently breathing through the mouth, sleeping with the mouth open, or snoring, it is worth mentioning during a dental evaluation. Our team looks at airway and breathing patterns as part of a comprehensive assessment.
How Is a Lip Tie Evaluated?
A lip tie evaluation is straightforward and does not require any special preparation. At Total Care Kids, Dr. Lyndi Jones will visually examine the frenulum and assess how it affects lip movement and function. For infants, this typically involves gently lifting the upper lip and evaluating the tissue’s attachment point, thickness, and flexibility.
For older children, the evaluation also looks at how the tissue affects lip seal, speech, and dental spacing. The goal is not just to identify whether a lip tie exists, but to understand whether it is actually affecting your child’s health, development, or comfort. That is what drives any decisions about next steps.
There is no pressure to move forward with any procedure. The evaluation is informational, and any decisions are made together with you.
What Is a Lip Tie Release?
A lip tie release is a simple procedure that divides the restrictive frenulum tissue, allowing the upper lip to move more freely. At Total Care Kids, we use a soft-tissue laser for this procedure. The laser is precise and minimizes discomfort, and most children need little to no recovery time.
For newborns and infants, the procedure is very brief. Many babies are able to nurse immediately afterward, and many families notice improvements in latch and feeding comfort in the first few days following the release. Results vary, and in some cases working with a lactation consultant before and after the procedure plays an important role in the recovery process.
For older children, the procedure is similarly quick. A small amount of local anesthetic is used to keep the child comfortable. Most children return to normal activities the same day.
You can learn more about what to expect on our lip and tongue tie release service page.
What to Expect After a Lip Tie Release
After a lip tie release, most children experience minimal discomfort that resolves within a day or two. The treated area heals relatively quickly because of the excellent blood supply in oral tissue.
For infants, your provider will give you specific stretching exercises to perform in the days following the release. These exercises are important. Without gentle stretching, the tissue can reattach as it heals, which may reduce the benefit of the procedure. The stretches only take a minute or two and become a brief part of the feeding routine for a few weeks.
For older children, recovery is generally very straightforward. You may be given some light dietary suggestions for the first day or two, but most children are back to normal quickly.
Improvements in feeding, speech, or lip movement may be noticed within days, or they may develop gradually over several weeks. Working with a lactation consultant for nursing infants, or a speech therapist for older children with speech concerns, can support the best possible outcomes after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a lip tie the same as a tongue tie?
No, they are separate conditions. A tongue tie involves a tight or short frenulum under the tongue, while a lip tie involves a tight or thick frenulum connecting the upper lip to the gum. They often occur together, and it is worth asking for both to be evaluated at the same appointment.
Can a lip tie resolve on its own without treatment?
In most cases, a lip tie does not significantly change on its own. Whether treatment is recommended depends on whether the tie is actually affecting feeding, speech, dental development, or another area of function. Not every lip tie requires intervention, which is why a proper evaluation matters.
At what age can a lip tie release be done?
A lip tie release can be performed at any age, from newborns through teenagers and adults. The approach and recovery may differ depending on the child’s age, but there is no window that is too early or too late to have this evaluated.
Does a lip tie release hurt?
We use a soft-tissue laser, which minimizes bleeding and discomfort during the procedure. For very young infants, the procedure is brief and most babies settle quickly, often nursing right after the release. For older children, we use local anesthetic to keep them comfortable throughout. Most families are surprised by how straightforward it is.
Will a lip tie release fix our nursing problems?
A lip tie release may support improvement in feeding when a lip tie is genuinely contributing to the difficulty. Many families notice positive changes in latch, comfort, and feeding efficiency in the days and weeks following the procedure. Nursing challenges can have multiple contributing factors, so working with a lactation consultant alongside the release gives you the best picture of what is helping and what else may need attention.
How do I know if my child needs a lip tie evaluation?
If you are experiencing persistent nursing difficulties, noticing a gap between your child’s front teeth, observing speech patterns that seem effortful, or simply have a gut feeling that something is off, an evaluation is a reasonable next step. There is no downside to getting an assessment. If a lip tie is not the issue, you will know that. If it is, you will have a clear path forward.
If something about your baby’s feeding or your child’s development has been nagging at you, trust that instinct. A lip tie is something that is often straightforward to address once it is identified, and getting an evaluation is a low-risk first step. Our team at Total Care Kids is here to give you honest answers and help you figure out what your child actually needs.
